Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) Stakeholder Forum & Interviews
About this episode
The podcast covers the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) Stakeholder Forum held at Aviva Stadium, featuring updates on Ireland's EV infrastructure strategy and government policies. Key discussions include the rapid growth in EV adoption, challenges in expanding the charging network, and collaboration among government, local authorities, and industry stakeholders. The episode highlights the rollout of national charging schemes, regional pilot projects, and the importance of sustainable investment to meet 2026-2028 targets. Insights from ZEVI head Ifo Grady provide a detailed look into Ireland’s evolving EV landscape and future plans.
Welcome back to the Nevo EV News Podcast. If it's Tuesday it must be Nevo EV News Day. My name is Derek Reilly and on this podcast we chat all about EV. Nevo is Ireland's only dedicated EV platform and we'll be covering where we were this week, what we've been driving and what we've been doing between podcasts. If you haven't already subscribed or followed us wherever you are listening please do so and if you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and comment, it really helps us out and it doesn't cost you anything. Let's get stuck in.
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/consultations/draft-national-ev-charging-infrastructure-strategy-2026-2028/
Interviewees
Dr Aoife O'Grady - ZEVI
https://www.zevi.ie/
Hugh Hall - epower
https://www.epower.ie/
Emer Barry - SEAI
https://www.seai.ie/plan-your-energy-journey/for-your-home/electric-vehicles
Andrew Johnson - MG Ireland
https://www.mg.ie/
Laura Condron - BMW Group Ireland
https://www.bmw.ie/
John Byrne - ZEVI
Thomas Maguire - IEVA
https://www.irishevassociation.ie/infrastructure-updates
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zero emission vehicles
"We attended the zero emission vehicles Ireland or Zevi stakeholders forum in the Aviva stadium"
Zero emission vehicles are cars or trucks that don't produce smoke or pollution when they drive. They help keep the air clean and fight climate change.
Zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) are vehicles that produce no tailpipe emissions, such as electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. They help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Formula 1
"F1 has taken North America by storm in recent years and 2026 is shaping up to be the most exciting season of Formula 1 racing yet With a completely fresh set of cars and engines Lando Norris Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton and the rest of the world's fastest drivers are Speeding into the unknown this season Whatever happens the race F1 podcast will be with you for every corner crash and controversy"
Formula 1 is a type of car racing where the fastest drivers race in very fast cars on tracks all over the world. It's the top level of car racing and very exciting to watch.
Formula 1, often abbreviated as F1, is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. It features the fastest drivers and most advanced racing cars competing in a series of Grand Prix events worldwide.
fresh set of cars and engines
"2026 is shaping up to be the most exciting season of Formula 1 racing yet With a completely fresh set of cars and engines Lando Norris Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton and the rest of the world's fastest drivers are Speeding into the unknown this season"
This means the race cars and their engines are all new and different from before, which can make the races more exciting because the cars might be faster or handle differently.
In Formula 1, a 'fresh set of cars and engines' refers to the introduction of new car designs and power units that comply with updated technical regulations, often leading to significant changes in performance and competition.
Grand Prix
"We're on the ground at every Grand Prix including the three unmissable US events in Miami Austin and Las Vegas Talking to the key players and bringing expert analysis on the stories that matter"
A Grand Prix is a big race in Formula 1 that happens at special race tracks around the world. Drivers compete to win points and become champions.
A Grand Prix is a major race event in the Formula 1 calendar, held at different international circuits. Each Grand Prix is a standalone race contributing points towards the World Championship.
electric vehicle
"Lots of people here from different aspects of the electric vehicle space in Ireland. It's great to see the participation"
An electric vehicle is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It uses batteries and electric motors to move, which can be better for the environment and cheaper to drive.
An electric vehicle (EV) is a car that is powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of traditional gasoline or diesel fuel. EVs use electric motors and batteries to provide propulsion, offering benefits like reduced emissions and lower operating costs.
infrastructure strategy
"Really key to us since we started Zevi and then today with the new iteration of the infrastructure strategy"
An infrastructure strategy is a plan to build things like charging stations for electric cars and make sure the electricity system can support lots of these cars. This helps people use electric cars more easily.
An infrastructure strategy in the context of electric vehicles refers to the planning and development of supporting facilities such as charging stations, grid upgrades, and policies to enable widespread EV adoption. It is crucial for ensuring that EV users have convenient access to charging and that the electrical grid can handle increased demand.
EV adoption rate
"What's the next question you talked about 2024 versus 2025 and the EV adoption rate and"
EV adoption rate means how quickly people are buying and using electric cars instead of regular gasoline cars.
EV adoption rate refers to the speed and extent to which electric vehicles (EVs) are being purchased and integrated into the market and society, influenced by factors like incentives, infrastructure, and consumer acceptance.
charging network
"But you need that charging network to back it up and I'm going to use your quote a slow start"
A charging network is a group of places where electric cars can be plugged in to get more battery power. Having many of these spots makes it easier to drive electric cars longer distances.
A charging network is a system of public electric vehicle charging stations that allows EV owners to recharge their cars conveniently while on the road. The availability and connectivity of these stations are crucial for widespread EV adoption.
national road charging scheme
"But we're now in sprint mode. Yeah, exactly that that you know, we launched our first national road charging scheme We announced the contracts for that in July"
This is a plan by the government to build many electric car charging spots all over the country so people can charge their cars when they travel far.
A national road charging scheme refers to a government-backed initiative to establish a widespread network of electric vehicle charging stations across a country, aiming to support EV drivers on long-distance travel.
AC charging
"But they're in the strategy some of these are really interesting where there's a mix of DC and AC charging"
AC charging means charging an electric car more slowly using regular electricity, like what you get at home.
AC charging refers to alternating current charging for electric vehicles, which is slower than DC charging and typically used for home or workplace charging. It supplies power through the vehicle's onboard charger.
DC charging
"But they're in the strategy some of these are really interesting where there's a mix of DC and AC charging"
DC charging means charging an electric car faster by using direct electricity, so the car's battery fills up quicker than normal charging.
DC charging refers to direct current fast charging for electric vehicles, which allows for much quicker battery recharge compared to AC charging. It is commonly used in public fast-charging stations to reduce charging time.
EV charging
"But also for Evie charging we do see a lot of informal Home charging and I mean there's people who live in my neighborhood We don't have off-street parking and they run a cable across like the granny plug three pin cable across the curb"
EV charging means plugging in an electric car to get its battery power back. People often do this at home, but if they don't have a driveway, they might run cables across sidewalks, which can be unsafe.
EV charging refers to the process of replenishing the battery of an electric vehicle using electrical power. Home charging is common but can be challenging in areas without off-street parking, leading to informal setups like running cables across sidewalks.
fleets
""They've been busy that's on the public side on the commercial side. You've got the fleets""
Fleets are many cars or trucks that a company uses for work, like delivery vans or company cars.
Fleets refer to groups of vehicles owned or leased by a business or organization, often used for commercial purposes like deliveries, services, or employee transportation.
domestic home charging
""So we've with the domestic home charging""
Domestic home charging means having an electric car charger at your house so you can charge your car overnight.
Domestic home charging refers to electric vehicle chargers installed at a person's home, allowing convenient overnight charging of EVs.
renewable energy source
"It sits nicely with with the EV charging because it completes the ecosystem the story of the renewable energy source"
Renewable energy means energy that comes from nature and doesn't run out, like sunlight or wind.
Renewable energy sources are natural energy sources that are replenished constantly, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, which help reduce carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.
solar battery storage
"And solar battery storage all becomes part of their knowledge base and they start to become much more aware of us"
Solar battery storage means saving the energy made by your solar panels so you can use it later, like at night or on cloudy days.
Solar battery storage systems store electricity generated by solar panels for later use, allowing homeowners to use solar energy even when the sun isn't shining, which can optimize energy usage and reduce reliance on the grid.
50 kilowatt charging
"Things have changed since the start of the charity network in Ireland where it was a 50 kilowatt down the back of a car park"
It means the charger can add electricity to the car's battery at a rate of 50 kilowatts, which affects how fast the car charges.
50 kilowatt charging refers to the power output level of an EV charger, indicating how quickly it can recharge an electric vehicle's battery.
200 kilowatt DC charger
"So we've opened up five 200 kilowatt DC charges So that's 10 spaces."
It's a special type of charger for electric cars that can fill up the battery very quickly, much faster than regular chargers.
A 200 kilowatt DC charger is a fast electric vehicle charging station that delivers direct current at 200 kilowatts, enabling rapid charging of compatible electric cars.
VRT reductions
"There's still VRT reductions available and you're also paying the lowest motor tax"
VRT is a tax you pay when you register a car. If you get a reduction, it means you pay less tax, especially for electric cars.
VRT stands for Vehicle Registration Tax, a tax applied when registering a vehicle. Reductions in VRT lower the cost of registering electric vehicles, making them more affordable.
EVs
"I'm expecting to be a really good year this year. I mean we're looking at a 4% increase on on EVs this year. So I'm hoping that that will continue the sale of electric fans has improved..."
EVs are cars or vans that run on electricity instead of gas. They use batteries to move and don't need fuel like regular cars.
EVs stands for electric vehicles, which are cars or vans powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of traditional gasoline or diesel engines.
HTV
"There's grants available for a depot charging for HTV's as well from TII"
HTV means big trucks or buses that carry lots of stuff or people.
HTV stands for Heavy Transport Vehicle, referring to large commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses used for transporting goods or passengers.
Audi S6
"...ales manager and Andrew tomorrow We're at the MG S6 launch, but today we're at the Zevi stakeholder e..."
The Audi S6 is a comfortable and fast car that’s a bit fancier than regular cars. It’s good for people who want both luxury and speed.
The Audi S6 is a high-performance variant of the A6 executive sedan, combining luxury features with sporty performance. It is often highlighted for its powerful engine options and advanced technology, making it a popular choice in the luxury performance sedan segment.
Audi S5
"...will will sit above. It's like the big brother to s5 and We will have the car launched tomorrow with ..."
The Audi S5 is a fancy, fast car that looks stylish and is fun to drive. It’s a bit like a regular car but made to be quicker and handle better.
The Audi S5 is a sporty, performance-oriented version of the A5 coupe and sportback, offering enhanced power and handling. It is often discussed as a luxury sports car that balances everyday usability with dynamic driving experience.
Mini
"...whether it's Nevo whether it's BMW mini etc..."
Mini is a car company that makes small and fun cars. They also make electric versions of their cars.
Mini is a British automotive brand owned by BMW, known for small, stylish cars. They also produce electrified versions of their vehicles.
electrified vehicle
"...could potentially buy an electric or electrified BMW or mini"
Electrified vehicles are cars that use both gas and electricity to move. They can save fuel and pollute less.
Electrified vehicles include hybrids and plug-in hybrids that combine an internal combustion engine with electric motors and battery packs, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
iX3 (G08)
"...rom this morning BMW another busy year. We've got IX3 Phenomenal care. I was looking to drive it towar..."
The BMW iX3 is a small SUV that runs only on electricity, so it doesn’t use gas and doesn’t make pollution. It’s like a regular car but cleaner and quieter.
The BMW iX3 (G08) is an all-electric SUV based on the X3 platform, offering BMW’s electric mobility with familiar styling and driving dynamics. It is notable as BMW’s approach to electric vehicles, combining zero emissions with premium features.
BMW iX3
"So the IX3 is just one in a whole class of amazing cars that we have We've got the I3 coming out later on this year"
The BMW iX3 is a type of car that runs only on electricity instead of gas. It's a sport utility vehicle, meaning it’s bigger and good for carrying people or stuff, but it doesn’t pollute the air like regular cars.
The BMW iX3 is an all-electric SUV from BMW, part of their electric vehicle lineup. It combines BMW's traditional SUV design with an electric powertrain, offering zero emissions and modern technology.
BMW i3
"We've got the I3 coming out later on this year We've got more models that are going to be phenomenal"
The BMW i3 is a small car that runs on electricity, making it good for city driving. It’s designed to be eco-friendly and easy to park in tight spaces.
The BMW i3 is a compact electric car known for its unique design and urban-friendly size. It was one of BMW's first mass-produced electric vehicles, combining electric propulsion with sustainable materials.
electric cars
"Electric cars it's plug-in hybrids and it's combustion engine as well because we've a technology open approach And we have to find the solution that suits the customer."
Electric cars run on batteries instead of gas. They don’t make smoke or pollution when you drive them, which helps keep the air clean.
Electric cars are vehicles powered entirely or primarily by electricity stored in batteries, rather than traditional internal combustion engines. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and are increasingly popular for environmental reasons.
plug-in hybrids
"Electric cars it's plug-in hybrids and it's combustion engine as well because we've a technology open approach And we have to find the solution that suits the customer."
Plug-in hybrids are cars that use both electricity and gas. You can charge their batteries by plugging them in, and they can drive a bit using only electricity before using gas.
Plug-in hybrids are vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery that can be recharged by plugging into an external power source. They can run on electric power alone for short distances before switching to gasoline.
combustion engine
"Electric cars it's plug-in hybrids and it's combustion engine as well because we've a technology open approach And we have to find the solution that suits the customer."
A combustion engine is the part of a car that makes it go by burning gas or diesel. It’s the usual engine found in most cars before electric ones became popular.
A combustion engine is a traditional engine that generates power by burning fuel such as gasoline or diesel inside cylinders. It is the most common type of engine used in cars before the rise of electric vehicles.
range anxiety
"From coming from a place where range anxiety range anxiety was constantly thrown at you too It's it's virtually an eliminated argument now people are seeing"
Range anxiety is when people worry that their electric car might run out of battery before they can find a place to charge it.
Range anxiety refers to the fear or concern that an electric vehicle (EV) has insufficient battery charge to reach its destination or a charging point, which can limit the usability of EVs.
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